retire

verb

re·​tire ri-ˈtī(-ə)r How to pronounce retire (audio)
retired; retiring

intransitive verb

1
: to withdraw from action or danger : retreat
2
: to withdraw especially for privacy
retired to her room
3
: to move back : recede
4
: to withdraw from one's position or occupation : conclude one's working or professional career
5
: to go to bed

transitive verb

1
: withdraw: such as
a
: to march (a military force) away from the enemy
b
: to withdraw from circulation or from the market : recall
retire a bond
c
: to withdraw from usual use or service
2
: to cause to retire from one's position or occupation
3
a
: to put out (a batter) in baseball
b
: to cause (a side) to end a turn at bat in baseball
4
: to win permanent possession of (something, such as a trophy)
5
: to pay in full : settle
retire a debt

Examples of retire in a Sentence

I want to be healthy when I retire. She had to retire during the first set because of a muscle strain. The Navy is retiring the old battleship. The manufacturer plans to retire that car model in a few years. The team is retiring his jersey number in honor of his great career.
Recent Examples on the Web The Philadelphia Eagles center retired from the NFL on Monday, and Kylie, 31, publicly celebrated her husband's accomplishments in a Thursday Instagram post. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024 Lawrence died Thursday at his home in Los Angeles from complications from Alzheimer’s disease, a spokesperson for the family told Variety; Lawrence was forced to retire from touring after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2019. Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2024 When Tyson retired as a professional boxer in 2005, Paul was 8 and still several years away from becoming a teenage internet star with his brother Logan Paul. Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Few were surprised when deposed House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.) retired in December. Matt Weidinger, National Review, 7 Mar. 2024 Jackson retired from the military and left the White House in 2019 to run for Congress, a long-shot campaign that succeeded with the backing of Trump. Alex Horton, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024 With the youngest Boomers beginning to retire, there’s an opportunity for significant growth in sellers beginning this year. Nick Boniakowski, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2024 Richards finished his career with 122 receptions for 2,136 yards and 17 TDs before injuries prompted him to retire in 1980. Staff and Wire Reports, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Feb. 2024 Ortiz, 43, lost an earlier bid for the school board in 2019 to Jackie Goldberg, who is retiring. Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'retire.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle French retirer, from re- + tirer to draw

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of retire was in 1533

Dictionary Entries Near retire

Cite this Entry

“Retire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retire. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

retire

verb
re·​tire ri-ˈtī(ə)r How to pronounce retire (audio)
retired; retiring
1
: to get away from action or danger : retreat
2
: to go away especially to be alone
3
: to give up or cause to give up one's job
4
: to go to bed
5
: to put out (a batter or side) in baseball
6
: to win permanent possession of (as a trophy)

Legal Definition

retire

verb
re·​tire
retired; retiring

intransitive verb

: to withdraw from an action
the jury retired for deliberations

transitive verb

: to withdraw from circulation or from the market
retire a loan
retire stock

More from Merriam-Webster on retire

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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